The 2011 nominees list for the NMVA, Nigeria’s first music video awards is finally out.

Topping the list this year is Darey and J’odie with four nominations each and followed closely by Goldie and Freestyle with three nominations. Other great contenders are Omawumi, Sammie Okposo, Dipp, T.I.V and Tipsy who also have two nominations.

For the first time since its inception, NMVA has included Best Southern Africa Video and Best Western Africa Video as new categories in this year’s award.

Aside recognizing new artistes who are doing extremely well in their chosen careers, the awards is also recognizing the efforts of incredible new music video directors. Nominated alongside Clarence Peters this year in the Best Cinematography category are Nodash and Tokah for their ingenious directing on No Be Dada and Kuchi Kuchi respectively. They were also nominated alongside Patrick Elis in the Most Promising Video Director category. The NMVA has established that artistes and video directors as well as producers can share glory side by side on the same stage as witnessed at the previous successful editions.

Lots of plans are already in the pipeline as preparations for the fifth consecutive edition of the awards heats up. Expectations are also very high in every sector of the entertainment industry as to what to expect in this year’s event that is fast positioning as the most credible, most respected and most attractive out of Africa.

The awards organizers re-instated their commitment to transparency and as such are weary of all lobbyists warming them to stay at bay as only good videos will be duly rewarded.

The attention of the whole world has been drawn to the first music video awards in Nigeria at one point or the order due to the successes and traditional values associated with the event. In furtherance of the organizers believe for traditional values, this year’s event has been tagged ‘Celebrating Our Cultural Heritage.

To lend credence to the theme of this year’s event, the Federal Ministry of Tourism has endorsed the project as a viable national brand deserving all institutional and corporate sponsorship. It may interest you to know that this year’s edition of the award will be hosted by Lagos State Government.